Ilocandia’s best in Intramuros

A celebration of Ilocandia’s history, culture and traditions as well as its trade and investment opportunities is currently hogging the spotlight in Intramuros, Manila as "WOW na WOW Pilipinas" presents the "Best of Region 1."

The "Best of Region 1 in Intramuros II" is featuring its four provinces, namely: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan as well as the cities of Laoag, Vigan, San Fernando, Urdaneta, San Carlos and Dagupan until March 28. The Ilocanos’ stint will showcase the best of their dances, music, cuisine, arts and crafts.

Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan said, "As in previous regional showcases in Intramuros, the ‘Best of Region 1 at Intramuros,’ forms part of the calendar of special events lined up by the DoT for the continuing celebration of Visit Philippines Year. For local and foreign visitors who have been to this enchanting Region and for those who are planning to visit, the Ilocos exposition in Intramuros is a great time to savor all the best of Ilocandia."

Street dancing presentations from the Region’s different festivals were held during the opening ceremonies along Sta. Lucia and Anda Streets in Intramuros recently. Among the festivals were Galicayo, Longanisa, Mango-Bamboo, Pamulinawen (Saguday) and Damili.

DoT Region 1 director Ernesto B. Malay, Jr. said, "The Ilocandia showcase in Intramuros is but a preview to the amazing natural wonders, charming local destinations, delectable cuisine and world-class products of Region 1."

Pagdanganan added that, "This showcase is also a rare chance to enjoy the festivals of the Ilocanos because they are held at different times of the year in its various towns."

At Clamshell 1, there will be cultural presentations and concerts by leading Ilocano artists like the University of Luzon Theater and Dance Company and Drum and Bugle Corp., Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur Chorale, Villaruel Brothers, 100 Voices, Val Aquino & Co., Revival Band of Lingayen, Computronix Cultural Troupe and the MMSU Batac Cultural Group.

Moreover, demonstrations by noted craftsmen of Ilocandia and quality products by its leading manufacturers are on sale at very affordable prices.

Special tour packages are also available at the destination booths of the cultural market and provincial exhibits in a trade and travel fair at Clamshell 1. The showcase will encourage networking of Ilocano and Pangasinense businessmen with their counterparts from other regions and abroad to explore investment prospects.

At the Bahay Tagala fronting Clamshell 1, the best Ilocano native crafts will delight visitors with the demonstration of empanada cooking, loom-weaving, softbroom making, bangus deboning and pottery-making.

The world-renowned Ilocano indigenous cloth "inabel" will take center stage at Plaza San Ignacio in the Abel fashion show by Manila-based Ilocano and Pangasinense designers during the closing ceremonies on March 28.

Meanwhile, the Cultural Tourism Program of the DoT went into full gear, recently, when the Ilocandia Cultural Tourism Program was launched with a tour of the attractions and activities of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

The Ilocandia Tour is the fourth in a series of cultural tour modules initiated and developed by the DoT in cooperation with the Cultural Tourism Technical Working Group (CTTWG), which is composed of members from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, National Museum, National Historical Institute, Philippine Tourism Authority, Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation and Viajes Filipinas.

The Ilocos Tour has been organized as part of the integration and coordination of the cultural tourism programs and projects of various cultural agencies and the local travel trade. It aims to contribute towards social cohesion and cultural preservation in line with tourism development’s objectives.

As one of the current trends in global travel, cultural tourism refers to travel geared towards experiencing the arts, heritage and distinctive character of a place and is also seen as a tool for cultural awareness and understanding and heritage preservation.